tiananmen_square_protests.jpg
Tianamen Square Protest for Democracy, June 1989



China ascendancy to becoming a world power has been a long and arduous journey fraught with many set backs. Under Mao's leadership the nation advanced for only a certain distance economically. Mao's ability to lead a revolution was profound; his ability to lead a nation after having achieved power was inept. Mao generated policies of which the nation of China is still suffering. One enormously contentious moment in the history of the PRC is the Cultural Revolution. Everyone in China was deeply affected by this period. Then under Deng Xiaoping China undertook economic reform to launch the nation into becoming one of the largest economies in the world. China today sits at the threshold of being the nation to challenge the USA globally. Certainly, it is the regional hegemonic power.
Here lies the challenge to China: when will its political system catch up to its economic system. That is, when will the democratization of China occur? This is an important question because of China's burgeoning role as a global leader.


The notes below are your responsibility.
Notes on China & Japan:
Notes on China (You have this already, but here it is a second time):
Notes on Mao and China (similar to the one above, but better:

Reading Assignment: